Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Confirmed For Race Of Champions 2010

The most successful race car of all time is set to meet some of the most successful race drivers of all time at this years’ Race of Champions. The event is an absolute riot of fun and includes cars and bikes from all forms of FIA Motorsport. At the end of every year, newly crowned Champions of their respective disciplines are pitted against each other in head to head battle. Drivers are asked to step out of their comfort zone by performing on a make-shift course in cars they don’t usually drive – which makes for interesting and entertaining racing. Not to mention the fact that all around driving skill is absolutely pivotal to success. Ever wondered how Sébastien Loeb would fare against Michael Schumacher, both driving Porsche GT3 Cup cars? Well come November 27th-28th in Dusseldorf we’ll find out.

The 3.8 liter 450 hp 911 GT3 Cup will be one of many uber cool cars being used at this years’ event and American Le Mans winner and ROC newbie, Jeroen Bleekemolen, will hope that he can drive as many heats as possible behind the wheel of his Porsche to gain an advantage over the superstar lineup. Drivers will experience superb handling and 8500RPMs of aural pleasure that is rivaled by few other cars. Traditionally, the course is tight and will allow the GT3’s handling ability to come to the fore. We look forward to all the action.

Seat Start Production of Audi Q3 in 2012

It seems that the VW Group’s Martorell plant in Spain will not only build the new Audi Q3, but a similar version of the compact SUV for Seat as well, according to a report from British car magazine, What Car. Industry sources told the publication that the Seat IBX crossover study shown at Geneva this year will be built in the same plant with the Audi Q3, with both models to share the same platform. The production version of the IBX is expected to be introduced next year.

The IBX is Seat's second SUV concept after the Tribu shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007. The Tribu was initially supposed to spawn a production model but the project was canned due to the grim economic outlook at the time.

Now a Seat SUV is closer than ever to reality, even though the production version could differ from the three-door IBX design study. The series production model could feature a more conventional five-door bodywork and internal combustion engines, as opposed to the concept's full-electric setup. The IBX study uses an electric motor to power the front wheels and a battery package that offers a driving range of 45 kilometers (28 miles).

The road-going model is expected to adopt a variety of TSI and TDI engines offering buyers the choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. At 4.26 meters long, 1.80 meters wide and 1.62 meters tall, the IBX is very close in dimensions to the Audi Q3, which measures 4.39 meters in length, 1.83 meters in width and 1.60 meters in height.

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2011 Ford Escape

It’s a wonder how the Ford Escape has been running for the better part of the decade now and yet there hasn’t been a whole lot to talk about as far as dramatic changes on the SUV are concerned. And, the 2011 model looks to be no different, either. Sure, it’s had a some changes here and there over the years, but for the better part of its lifetime, the escape seems to have been a vehicle that Ford continuously pays little attention to. The growing concern that the Escape is already showing its age must be one reason why Ford has bared plans of releasing the next-generation Escape in 2012.

For now, the 2011 Escape hasn’t changed much from the previous years’ models, although it does come with some new technological features, including a new HD Radio that syncs in fantastically with the brand’s SYNC entertainment system. It’s hard not to dismiss the Escape, but given the fact that not a whole has changed, we’re thinking that we’ll all be better off to just wait for the next-gen model coming out next year.

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2011 Ford Fiesta S1600

Ford first launched the special edition Fiesta S1600 in 2010, but only one year later, they’ve come back with a revised version of the same model. In 2011, the Ford Fiesta S1600 will return with a more powerful engine, but will be limited to only 500 units. On the British market, the S1600 is priced at £15,895, or $25,600 at the current exchange rates.

In 2010, the Fiesta S1600 was powered by a 1.6-liter, 120 HP Duratec Ti-VCT petrol engine, but for 2011, that output has been raised to a total of 134 HP at 6,700rpm and 160Nm of torque at 4,250rpm. As a result, the 0 to 60 mph sprint is made in just 8.2 seconds – an improvement of 1.7 seconds.

The front of the S1600 will be distinguished by a unique bumper with a flared lower valence panel while the sides and rear of the car will get extended side skirts, a large rear spoiler, and a rear diffuser. The Fiesta will be rounded off with 17in white alloy wheels. The model will be painted in Frozen White or Performance Blue with contrasting motorsport stripes.

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2011 NYIAS: Lexus CT 200h

Making its debut at the Big Apple is a concept for a high-performance version of the Lexus CT 200h hybrid hatchback conceived and executed in partnership with Fox Marketing.

Starting with a production CT 200h, the tuner modified the 1.8-liter gasoline engine by adding an Eaton supercharger along with a Climax Racing intake manifold and a Yonaka air to water intercooler among other upgrades to push output to an estimated 300HP. Additionally, Fox Marketing said it has boosted the factory batter power, but did not provide further details.

To improve handling, Lexus’ entry-level model gained new springs, an upgraded brake systems from Baer with 13-inch rotors and four-piston calipers, and 20-inch alloy wheels shod in Toyo T1R tires size 225/30 20 up front and 255/30 20 at the back.

Cosmetically, Fox Marketing added a new wide body kit with three-inch fender flares, new bumpers and a large rear diffuser along with a bespoke paint job. As for the interior, there are custom LED Lexus logos in the door panels and Yonaka Ronin racing seats trimmed in black leather with red stitching.

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